Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, "Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!" (Acts 26:24)

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Monthly Archives: October 2014

“Remember, therefore, what you have received and heard; obey it, and repent. But if you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.”—Jesus (Revelation 3:3 NIV)

“Remember, therefore, what you have received you do not wake up, I will come like a and heard; obey it, and repent.But if thief, and you will not know at what time I will come to you.” -Jesus (Revelation 3:3 NIV)

When God told Noah to build the ark probably the first thing he had to learn was how to balance his schedule. His days consisted of building the ark, providing for his family and then preaching during his time off. It was quite a challenge. However, God told him that he had a limited time to reach as many people as he could before the flood. Judgment was imminent and God, being the merciful God that He is, wanted to give everyone a chance to repent of their wickedness.

Now, as long as they could hear the sound of Noah’s hammer ringing out across the countryside there was still hope for them. There was still time for them to repent and be spared the impending deluge. However, Noah’s friends, neighbors and extended family chose to ignore his warning and thus eventually faced the judgment of God.

Then it happened. The sound of Noah’s hammer ceased and soon his plea ceased as well. He gathered his little family and joined the animals in the ark. Next, and it’s important to note this, the Bible says that God Himself closed the door. Soon, the heavens opened and a torrential rain began to fall. The waters began to quickly rise higher and higher. In a little while all, save eight souls huddled deep within the belly of the huge vessel, would be lost without hope of salvation from the ascending waters.

I wonder what it was like being in the ark with Noah when the rain began to beat against the ark. Did the downpour and rising waters drown out all other sounds outside the ark? Or could they hear the screams of those who had once mocked and laughed at Noah’s plea. They had ignored his plea. Now, he could not respond to theirs. What do you think went through their minds and hearts as God’s unbridled wrath fell on the earth that day?

“As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.” — Jesus (Matthew 24:37 NIV)

God announced His coming judgment to Noah by saying, “My Spirit will not contend with man forever… ” (Genesis 6:3 NIV) The same holds true today. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to see that the end is coming soon. For once again the sound of Noah’s hammer is resounding throughout the land. You can hear it echoing in the events taking place around the world. You can hear it in the voice of God’s prophets and from others in His church. Judgment is imminent!

The hands on that great cosmic clock called “time” are speeding faster and faster. Please don’t be like those in Noah’s day who ignored the warning. If you’ve never truly repented and made Jesus lord of your life please do so now. Soon God Himself will close the door and then no one will be allowed to enter. God loves you, my friend. He doesn’t want you to… miss the boat.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9 NIV)

Listen closely. Do you hear the sound of Noah’s hammer?

There will be a day When we will be divided right and left For those who know Him And those who do not know

Those who know Him well Will meet Him in the air Hallelujah God is with us Those who do not know

They will hear depart I knew you not For my friends you see There will be a day when we’ll be counted So know Him well, know Him well *

Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. (Ephesians 4:31 NIV)

Someone once said, “To harbor bitterness toward someone is like swallowing poison and then waiting for that person to die.” It seems that we’re a society made up of angry people. If you doubt it just take a drive in heavy traffic. We are one stressed-out generation filled with rage and “eat up” with bitterness.

We’re angry with friends, family, fellow employees, employers and at life in general. Many of us are even mad at ourselves and exasperated over the results of bad choices that we’ve made. We find ourselves echoing the words of David, “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.” (Psalms 51:3 NIV)

We’re bitter over the way we’ve been treated by those around us. Incredibly, we expect, and even demand justice from an unjust world! And then we become all bent out of shape when we don’t get it.

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” — Jesus (John16:33 NIV)

We seem to forget these words of Jesus. The phrase he used was “In this world you will have trouble.” He didn’t say, “Maybe you will…” or, “There’s a good chance that you will….” No, Jesus said that we could count on having trouble in the world. Why? The reason is simple. It’s because the world is filled with those pesky little things called…people. For as you know, people are anything but perfect. They will frequently let you down, disappoint you, sadden you, lie to you and break promises. There are times when they will downright run over you. Of this you can be sure. But what can you expect—perfection from imperfection?

Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. (1Peter 4:12 NIV)

Considering this fact; why should we be hurt and embittered when someone rattles our cage? Hey, we were warned. We have little control over the cards life deals us, but as Christians, we do have control over how we play those cards. I personally know of people who have virtually sacrificed their lives on the altar of bitterness. They have surrendered their will to its ghastly power. Thus, letting bitterness, like a deadly cancer, consume their hope and peace. It’s a self-ingested poison that destroys homes, marriages and devastates churches.

“For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin.” (Acts 8:23 NIV)

Bitterness is a slow suicide that lays to waste potential greatness in the Kingdom of God. It’s one of the ugliest forms of pride and is a slap in the face of the One who “was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth”. (Isaiah 53:7) It’s little wonder that God’s WORD commands us to “get rid of all bitterness.”

More from God’s WORD…

“And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.” – Jesus (Mark 11:25 NIV)

Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us. And lead us not into temptation. (Luke 11:4 NIV)

“If he sins against you seven times in a day, and seven times comes back to you and says, ‘I repent,’ forgive him.’ – Jesus (Luke 17:4 NIV)

Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. (Ephesians 4:32 NIV)

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. (Colossians 3:13 NIV

This bitterness you hide It seeps into your soul And it steals your joy ‘Til it’s all you know Let it go

Will you forgive? Will you forget? Will you live what you know? He left his rights Will you leave yours? You don’t understand it Let it go *

I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy. I promised you to one husband, to Christ, so that I might present you as a pure virgin to him. But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ. For if someone comes to you and preaches a Jesus other than the Jesus we preached, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you received, or a different gospel from the one you accepted, you put up with it easily enough.(2 Corinthians 11:2-4)

Satan has one major goal for your life. When you gave your life to the Lord, the Enemy lost his grip on you. So, he’s got to switch to “Plan B”―render you ineffective. He has lost any claim of ownership on you due to the work of the cross. He, therefore, no longer has unlimited control of you. As a result, the only way he can accomplish his goal is through deception. He wants to, as Paul said, lead “your minds astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” In order to lead your mind astray he must get you to buy “the lie.”

They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator—who is forever praised. Amen. (Romans 1:25)

So, what is “the lie” that Satan wants us to buy? It started in the very dawn of human history.

Now the serpent was more crafty than any of the wild animals the LORD God had made. He said to the woman, “Did God really say,

‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”

(Genesis 3:1)
That’s it! That’s “the lie.” It’s that simple, but its simplicity is what makes it so devious. It’s the same lie that Satan has always used and this lie has been the basis of all his deceptive work throughout time. As the expression goes, “If something works, don’t fix it.” The lie works. He has always used this approach and always will. “Did God really say that?” His strategy is to cast doubt on God’s Word. If he can succeed in doing this, he will rob you, or at least, dissipate the amount of power, peace and victory in your life. He wants you to consider that the Bible just might be wrong in some of its information.

I was working on a theology major at a college sponsored by a major Christian denomination. Yet the professor who was over the theology department openly taught that God did not inspire the Bible. He stated that its source was the minds of mere men, and that it was anything but inerrant. He further advocated that the accounts given in the Bible of such narratives as Adam and Eve and the great flood were simply “allegories” and not actual historical references.

He was clearly echoing the original lie, “Did God really say that. Are the scriptures divinely inspired and trustworthy?” After enduring that fiasco, I would go to Biology 101 and listen to this professor continue “the lie” by teaching Darwinism. “Did God really say… that we were divinely created?” Sadly, I watched many impressionable young students get their faith shipwrecked in this so-called “Christian college.”

Yes, this sort of thing happens in many liberal church sponsored colleges and universities, but let’s bring “the lie” a little closer to home. Is the enemy saying things to you like, “Did God really say… that he would supply all of your needs?” “Did God really say… that He would never leave you or desert you?” “Did God really say… that He loves you?” “Did God really say… that you have worth in His eyes?” “Did God really say… you are a winner?” “Did God really say… that you have a purpose in this life?” On and on it goes. The fact of the matter is if God said it then that forever settles it. You alone must decide whom you will believe; whether or not you will buy “the lie.”

Adam and Eve bought “the lie.” They allowed themselves to give in to deception. They turned their backs on the truth of God’s Word and their choice cost them dearly! Are you buying the lie? If so, are you prepared? “The lie” has an enormous price tag on it! It may even cost you your fellowship with God.

“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31-32)

Jesus told Peter something that on the surface seemed to be a very strange thing. He said that Satan asked permission to “sift” him? This passage use to puzzle me. I understood that the scripture says that God is the one who refines and sifts us. (Malachi 3:3) So, why would Satan want to sift anyone? Furthermore, how would he go about doing it? Indeed, what would he sift? Then it dawned on me. Satan always seeks to do just the opposite of what God does. Where God desires to sift out that which is false in us and replace it with the truth, Satan wants to sift the truth from our hearts and replace it with doubt. He wants to destroy your faith and fill you with uncertainty. That way it will be easier to get you to buy the lie.

“Some people are like seed along the path, where the word is sown. As soon as they hear it, Satan comes and takes away the word that was sown in them.”–Jesus (Mark 4:15)

The attack is on God’s Word. Satan wants to remove it from our life. He wants to get us to doubt it and, ultimately, remove its affect on our life. However, when we stand firm, refusing to turn from the truth of God’s Word, we are not only strengthening ourselves, but we become equipped and able to strengthen others who are having the same struggle.

Are you buying the lie? I pray that you are not. For only through clinging to the truth of God’s Word will you ever know true joy and victory.

And in this world turning gray Strikes a chord when I say There is black There is white There is wrong And there is right There is no alibi If it’s not the truth, it’s…?

Falling for the truth again Not by the wisdom of a man Or a machine This is not preference or A taste that disagrees The evidence of things unseen The more you look The more you’ll see If there’s ever been a time it’s now I hear that still small voice inside *